One of the most important and famous festivals in India is Durga Puja. Devotees celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm in the states of Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat and Bihar during September or October every year, according to the Gregorian calendar. The festival falls in Ashwin, per the Hindu calendar.

Goddess Durga killed Mahishasur during this festival, commemorating the triumph of good over evil. It is also a festival of harvest which celebrates the goddess as the mother of life and creation. Durga puja, also known as Durgotsava, begins on the same day as Navratri.

It is a ten-day event, but the last five days are the most important and widely celebrated. The eventful day of Mahalaya, which falls on 25th September this year, marks the beginning of the festival. Officially the worship of the idols begins on Saturday, 1st October and ends on Wednesday, 5th October with Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra.

People usually keep flowers, dia, rangolis, and other decorations in the places where the Durga idol is established. Various goddesses are worshipped on different days, and people keep fast. As part of this festival, people also sing hymns and recite poems. Some people outside their home states visit their native places and often stay in hotels near the Puja Pandals to actively participate in the festivities. Some even go for the top sightseeing tours in and around the cities.

Durga Puja Pandal Hopping List

This Durga Puja, you can enjoy Pandal Hopping at various places. You can stay in the OYO hotels near the pandals to get a better glimpse of every ritual conducted beautifully near the holy idols. Here is a list of places to go for Pandal hopping this Durga Puja —

• Kolkata, West Bengal- The city of joy, Kolkata always tops the list of places to go on pandal hoppings during Durga Puja. Durga Puja in Kolkata is all about Dhunuchi dance, bhog, stunning pandals, and spectacular Durga idols. It would be worthwhile to visit the pandals in Sreebhumi, Ahiritola, Hazra park, and Santosh Mitra Square. To witness the Puja’s traditional aspects, you can go on top sightseeing in mansions like Rani Rashmoni Bari or Sovabazar Raj Bari. You can stay in OYO 89475 New Hotel City Of Joy or OYO 35418 Lake Town Guest House.
• Patna, Bihar- In Patna, Goddess Durga is celebrated with serene idols and beautiful theme decorations. Several replicas of Indian temples can be seen at the Durga Puja pandals in Patna. You can enjoy energetic dhunuchi dance performances at the pandals. You can stay in OYO 27934 Hotel Ganga Mahal or OYO Flagship 38581 Buddha Inn.
• Guwahati, Assam- Guwahati is the place to be if you want to experience Assam’s unique Durga Puja festival. You can witness some of the prettiest pandals there. Durga Puja draws people from all across Assam to this city. People thoroughly enjoy the occasion by shopping, trying delicious cuisines, and visiting family and friends during Puja. You can stay in OYO 79019 Collection O Parashuram or OYO 4793 Hotel President. To seek Goddess Durga’s blessings, you can also pay a visit to other places, like Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Tezpur.
• Delhi- Delhi celebrates the festival of Durga Puja as Lord Rama’s victory. You can witness a dramatic performance on the Lord Rama’s story. Children dress as mythological characters during this celebration. A massive effigy of Ravana is burned down at the end of the celebration as a symbol of destroying evil.

You can experience the authentic colours and beauty of Durga puja in New Delhi at C.R. Park, which features beautiful pandals and Bengali cuisine. This festival is also celebrated in Ramlila Maidan, where people of all backgrounds gather. To fully enjoy the experience, you can visit Kalkaji temple, Akshardham temple, Birla mandir, etc. You can stay in OYO DEL2867 Pr Galaxy, OYO 13338 Hotel Atithi, or OYO 89341 The Premium Villa.

Conclusion

This article has mentioned all the top cities you can visit during this Durga Puja. Visit any of these at your convenience and have a memorable time seeking Goddess Durga’s blessings along with your family. Stay in the nearest OYO rooms, as mentioned above. You can also surf the official OYO website to find other hotels according to your preferences.

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